In memory of her, Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza

the Sitz im Leben or life setting of a text is as important for its understanding as its actual formulation.” page xv

4 models of hermeneutics:

1) the doctrinal approach (p4), understands the Bible in terms of divine revelation and canonical authority in a-historical, dogmatic terms. literal-historical inerrancy of the Bible. The biblical text is not simply a historical expression of revelation but revelation itself.

2) positivist historical exegesis (p5)against the dogmatic claims of Scripture and the authority of the church. an understanding of exegesis and historiography that is positivist, factual, objective, and value-free. Modeled after the rationalist understanding of the natural sciences. toward objective reading of the texts and a scientific presentation of "facts."

3) dialogical – hermeneutical interpretation (p5) takes seriously approach 2). , while at the same time reflecting on the interaction between the text and community/interpreter. methodological explorations of form and redaction. biblical writings as theological responses to pastoral-practical situations, hermeneutical discussions as the involvement of the scholar in the interpretation of texts.

4) liberation theology (p6) all theology, willingly or nor, is by definition always engaged for or against the oppressed.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (ECS) and her The Woman’s Bible

i. Throughout history and especially today the Bible is used to keep women in subjection and to hinder their emancipation.

ii. Not only men but especially women are the most faithful believers in the Bible as the word of God. Not only for men but also for women the Bible has a numinous authority.

iii. If feminists think they can neglect the revision of the Bible because there are more pressing political issues, then they do not recognize the political impact of Scripture upon the churches and society, and also upon the lives of women.

**the Bible includes often contradictory responses and that therefore not all biblical statements have equal truth claims and authority." pages 13-14

**Since the biblical message was addressed to a patriarchal society, the form of the biblical promise is situation-variable and relative to its patriarchal culture. Patriarchal imagery and androcentric language are the form but not the content of the biblical message. Since the content of the tradition is Christ, feminist theology must make clear "that Christ’s work was not first of all that of being male but that of being the new human. " page 15

1 Cor 11:33 in a word by word literal translation reads:

However, I want you [plural] to know that the head of every man is the Christ, however, a head of woman is the man, however, head of the Christ is the God.

the RSV translation reads:

I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

the Good News for Modern Man really brings out the good news for modern males:

But I want you to understand that Christ is supreme over every man, the husband is supreme over his wife and God is supreme over Christ.

By dropping the definite article before Christ and God the translators have smoothed out the text theologically while, at the same time, interpreting it in terms of patriarchal hierarchy. the question of women’s ecclesial office was still being debated in the second and third centuries C.E. It also demonstrates that the progressive patriarchalization of church office did not happen without opposition, The attacks of Tertullian indicate how prominent women’s leadership still was toward the end of the second century. Finally, Jerome attributes to women the origin not only of sin but of all heresy. the gradual development of the concept of "orthodoxy" in early Christianity. This development became necessary because there was "never a single, pure, authentic Christian position as later "orthodoxy" would have us believe." Insofar as the writings collected and accepted in the New Testament canon were selected and codified by the patristic New Testament church, the canon is a record of the ‘historical winners." " page 55